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Sorin to be shown door at Barca

By Mark Kendall

BARCELONA have confirmed that they will not be taking up the option to complete the permanent signing of Juan Pablo Sorin, and are also ready to sell compatriot Juan Roman Riquelme.

Sorin joined the Catalan giants from Lazio during the January transfer window, after the Serie A outfit were forced to release him from his contract.

The Argentine international is now owned once again by Brazilian club Cruziero, but Barca have decided against taking up their purchase option, thought to be around é¼8 million (£5 million), with the South Americans.

The Spaniards will still have to pay Cruziero é¼1 million (£650,000) for the period that the left-sided defender has spent at Camp Nou last term.

The Primera outfit have also revealed they will listen to offers for midfielder Riquelme.

Sorin's fellow Argentine international arrived at Barca from Boca Juniors with a huge reputation last summer, but has failed to make a real impact.

After discussions with new coach Frank Rijkaard, club president Joan Laporta has decided to make the gifted 24-year-old available for transfer.

Laporta's thinking was partly influenced by the fact that Primera teams will only be allowed three non-EU players next season, and Barca are soon to have six on their books.

With Turkish international goalkeeper Rustu Recber set to join Javier Saviola, Riquelme, Sorin, Geovanni, and Fabio Rochemback in Catalunya, the club are desperate to move on at least three of the stars with Riquelme, Sorin and Geovanni looking the most likely candidates.

Barca have also announced that, like Sorin, they will not be looking to complete a permanent transfer for on-loan Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta who will subsequently return to Lazio.